The Silent Disappearance: Functionally Extinct Dugongs in China & Urgency Need of Habitat Restoration

In August 2022, Dr. ZHOU Jinfeng, Secretary-General of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) , shared his perspective on the "functional extinction of dugongs in China" during a media interview.

 

Dugongs, often referred to as the "mermaids" of the sea, are marine herbivorous mammals with a length of about 3 meters, weighing between 300 to 500 kilograms, and a potential lifespan exceeding 70 years. They primarily feed on seagrasses such as Halophila ovalis and Halodule uninervis. In ancient China, dugongs were considered the prototype of "mermaids," known as "Jiaoren."

 

The legend of the "mermaid" traces back to the Wei and Jin periods, with various tales circulating about these mythical creatures. Descriptions from ancient texts such as the "Soushen Ji" depict them as residing beyond the South China Sea, living like fish, and engaged in weaving. Dugongs' gentle nature and graceful appearance, especially during breastfeeding when the female dugong cradles its offspring with pectoral fins, have led some biologists to consider them the inspiration for the legendary "mermaids."

 

However, a research conducted jointly by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Zoological Society of London, published in the Royal Society Open Science journal in the summer of 2022, reveals a dire situation for dugongs in China. The study covered 66 fishing villages along the southern coasts of Hainan, Guangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian, surveying 788 individuals. Shockingly, the last reported sighting of a dugong in these areas occurred an average of 23.2 years ago.

 

Dugongs, classified as a Class I protected species in China and listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), have experienced a rapid population collapse over the past few decades. Dr. Zhou Jinfeng stated that dugongs in China are now considered "functionally extinct."

 

The decline is attributed to various factors, including the degradation and disappearance of seagrass beds, dugongs' primary food source. Human activities, such as discharging sewage and engaging in shipping, fishing, and sand mining, have negatively impacted the seagrass habitat. Overfishing and collisions with vessels have also contributed to the reduction in dugong numbers.

 

To address the issue, CBCGDF has initiated efforts to protect dugongs. Dr. ZHOU Jinfeng highlighted their strategies, including scientific communication, engagement with relevant authorities, collaboration with domestic and international dugong experts, and the formulation of a three-year plan for dugong conservation.

 

The CBCGDF's Dugong Task Force aims to study dugong habitats, restore ecosystems in protection areas, research migration routes, propose navigational adjustments to reduce human impact, and collaborate with the international community on guided species reintroduction.

 

In the media interview, Dr. ZHOU expressed hope that, through collective efforts, dugongs could be reintroduced and observed in China within the next five years. The interview underscores the urgent need for comprehensive biodiversity conservation, emphasizing the importance of protecting ecosystems as a whole to ensure the survival of endangered species like the dugong. The tragic narrative of animal extinction continues, emphasizing the challenging task of finding a balance between human development and biodiversity conservation to safeguard our shared home. 

 

Original Chinese Article: https://news.cctv.com/2022/08/29/ARTIAzLM34z6BkVipRhSPr7j220829.shtml

Reported by Wendy

Editor: Sara     

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

 



 


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